Germany is set to strengthen approximately 4,000 schools with a high proportion of socially disadvantaged students through the Startchancen program. Federal and state governments have agreed on the program’s key principles. Starting from August 2024, €20 billion will be allocated over ten years to support this initiative.
Key Points:
- The Startchancen program aims to support around 4,000 schools with a high percentage of socially disadvantaged students. These schools will receive funding over a ten-year period starting in the 2024/25 school year.
- To address the issue of educational inequality in Germany, the federal government plans to launch the Startchancen program. Federal Education Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger announced the key principles of the program, stating that they plan to start implementing it in the 2024/25 school year.
- The federal government, along with state governments, will allocate a total of €20 billion over ten years to fund the Startchancen program. The federal government will contribute one billion euros annually.
- The program aims to provide support where the challenges are most significant. According to Stark-Watzinger, this marks a paradigm shift in educational funding logic, moving away from a one-size-fits-all approach. The funds will be used specifically and effectively to address the issue.
- The Startchancen program is set to commence on August 1, 2024, and will run for a period of ten years.
Three Key Program Components:
- Infrastructure Improvement: 40% of the funding will be directed toward improving the infrastructure and facilities of schools, making them more conducive to learning.
- Opportunity Budget: 30% of the funds will be allocated as an opportunity budget for targeted measures in school and curriculum development. This may include additional support for core subjects like German and mathematics.
- Strengthening Multiprofessional Teams: The remaining 30% will be invested in strengthening multiprofessional teams in schools, allowing for the allocation of full-time positions for school social work, particularly in schools facing social challenges.
Focus on Primary Schools:
- Federal and state governments have agreed to focus their support on primary schools. The early years of education play a crucial role in determining educational success. Specifically, 60% of the funding will go to primary schools, while 40% will be allocated to secondary and vocational schools.
- In the coming weeks, further details of the Startchancen program will be finalized through an agreement between the federal and state governments.
This initiative represents a significant step toward promoting educational equity and providing equal opportunities for all students in Germany.
https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-de/aktuelles/startchancen-programm-2225074